March 25, 2008 6:26 AM
Sam wrote:
Dross---impurity, scum, waste matter == sin. Remove this stuff from our lives, and out comes the gold or silver for God to work with. Of course, I am referring to verses 4 and 5 that talk about the dross within the raw material of silver used by silversmiths to produce a 'shiny' product. We often talk about letting our light 'shine', but it is not very bright if we have a lot of undealt with impurity within us. That is why I like to start my prayers to God my Father discussing my sins and asking forgiveness. If He does forgive me, and I believe He will, then His Holy Spirit has a much cleaner vessel into which He can live to 'manipulate' my life. Confession of sin is critical to our lives. We can confess to each other for assistance (James 5:16) and we can confess to Christ/God/Holy Spirit for forgiveness. When's the last time ya'll ask for forgiveness in prayer to God? Reply to this
March 25, 2008 9:53 AM
Rich wrote:
Mac - looks like you've been a lonely warrior of late. Sorry (again) for leaving you all alone to keep the blog going. I am following what you write and that encourages me. I will say (again) that I will be more consistent. Sure you can use some encouraging too.
I have been reading the Misquoting Jesus book. Wow! What a thought provoking and eye opening experience. I am thoroughly enjoying my reading (and thinking) and it is answering some pesky questions that I have had for a long time. Thanks for the suggestion.
One thing I talked about with my son last night was how amazing it was the Jesus could read! It is believed that only about 10 percent of all people could read at this time and most of these were the wealthy. Why would a carpenter need to read? Learning to read, to skilled people like carpenters, blacksmiths, etc, was thought to be a waste of time. There were more important things to do - like learn craft and take care of all that needed to be done at a time when the "conveniences of life" that we have today did not exist. Also, who taught Jesus to read - his carpenter father or his peasant mother? At 12 years of age in the temple we are told in Luke 2 that "everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers." This refers to his knowledge of the Old Testament. Could he read at 12 years of age? Maybe and/or maybe this gives additional proof that Jesus was who he said he was! Regardless of whether he could read at age 12, we are told that he does read in Luke 4:17 - "The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written...."
Where did Jesus get this knowledge and understanding? Who taught him to read? As basic as that sounds to us, it is amazing that Jesus could read. Jesus could also write. In John 8:7 we read: "But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger." Just some thoughts about Jesus for the day.
What got me started on this was the first line in Proverbs 25. "These are more proverbs of Solomon, copied by the men of Hezekiah king of Judah." I found in a commentary that this refers to the rest of the book of Proverbs. This chapter and the following are a sort of supplement to Proverbs - they are a collection of some of the traditional sayings of Solomon that King Hezekiah thought to be important enough to have recorded. What is interesting is that Hezekiah was king about 270 years after the death of Solomon. So, these are verbal sayings that have been passed from generation to generation for over 250+ years. Not sure what the means exactly to us today, but I found it very interesting.
Verse 2. The bible is not a clear roadmap to salvation or to understanding the future. It is murky at best. But that is the way God means for it to be. It forces us to study and read and apply ourselves. I believe that God wants us to "work out our own salvation" through personal study. Searching leads to glory! Reply to this
March 25, 2008 9:53 AM
rik wrote:
19 Like a bad tooth or a lame foot is reliance on the unfaithful in times of trouble.
I do not understand this? do you have any thoughts? Reply to this
March 25, 2008 1:21 PM
Anonymous wrote:
To Rich....glad to (be able to) read your comments. Am fortunate I was not born/raised in a country where illiteracy is still predominant among most people. Reminder....party Saturday (5-5:30-ish). Tony is spending a lot of time on the road so has less time to spend reading/blogging, but he is trying. Rik normally reads the blog, and comments when the HS gives him something, or like today, when the HS makes him ask a question. To Rik.....ever try to eat meat with a bad tooth? Or run a PT event with a sprained ankle or foot? Makes the experience much harder than it should be. Same thing when we seek advice from those who can't give good appropriate advice---it'll just be harder than it should be. You wouldn't seek advice on buying a car from a 12 year old who knows nothing about cars. You also shouldn't seek advice about anything spiritual from someone who either doesn't believe in God, or does and ignores His commands. That person is not wise enough to pass on good advice about God. I believe that is to what this Scripture is referring. What 'dish' you planning on bringing to the Party. Tony's bringing meat balls and Rick Gibbons is bringing wings. Reply to this
Dross---impurity, scum, waste matter == sin.
Remove this stuff from our lives, and out comes the gold or silver for God to work with.
Of course, I am referring to verses 4 and 5 that talk about the dross within the raw material of silver used by silversmiths to produce a 'shiny' product. We often talk about letting our light 'shine', but it is not very bright if we have a lot of undealt with impurity within us.
That is why I like to start my prayers to God my Father discussing my sins and asking forgiveness. If He does forgive me, and I believe He will, then His Holy Spirit has a much cleaner vessel into which He can live to 'manipulate' my life. Confession of sin is critical to our lives. We can confess to each other for assistance (James 5:16) and we can confess to Christ/God/Holy Spirit for forgiveness. When's the last time ya'll ask for forgiveness in prayer to God?
Reply to this
Mac - looks like you've been a lonely warrior of late. Sorry (again) for leaving you all alone to keep the blog going. I am following what you write and that encourages me. I will say (again) that I will be more consistent. Sure you can use some encouraging too.
I have been reading the Misquoting Jesus book. Wow! What a thought provoking and eye opening experience. I am thoroughly enjoying my reading (and thinking) and it is answering some pesky questions that I have had for a long time. Thanks for the suggestion.
One thing I talked about with my son last night was how amazing it was the Jesus could read! It is believed that only about 10 percent of all people could read at this time and most of these were the wealthy. Why would a carpenter need to read? Learning to read, to skilled people like carpenters, blacksmiths, etc, was thought to be a waste of time. There were more important things to do - like learn craft and take care of all that needed to be done at a time when the "conveniences of life" that we have today did not exist. Also, who taught Jesus to read - his carpenter father or his peasant mother? At 12 years of age in the temple we are told in Luke 2 that "everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers." This refers to his knowledge of the Old Testament. Could he read at 12 years of age? Maybe and/or maybe this gives additional proof that Jesus was who he said he was! Regardless of whether he could read at age 12, we are told that he does read in Luke 4:17 - "The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written...."
Where did Jesus get this knowledge and understanding? Who taught him to read? As basic as that sounds to us, it is amazing that Jesus could read. Jesus could also write. In John 8:7 we read: "But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger." Just some thoughts about Jesus for the day.
What got me started on this was the first line in Proverbs 25. "These are more proverbs of Solomon, copied by the men of Hezekiah king of Judah." I found in a commentary that this refers to the rest of the book of Proverbs. This chapter and the following are a sort of supplement to Proverbs - they are a collection of some of the traditional sayings of Solomon that King Hezekiah thought to be important enough to have recorded. What is interesting is that Hezekiah was king about 270 years after the death of Solomon. So, these are verbal sayings that have been passed from generation to generation for over 250+ years. Not sure what the means exactly to us today, but I found it very interesting.
Verse 2. The bible is not a clear roadmap to salvation or to understanding the future. It is murky at best. But that is the way God means for it to be. It forces us to study and read and apply ourselves. I believe that God wants us to "work out our own salvation" through personal study. Searching leads to glory!
Reply to this
19 Like a bad tooth or a lame foot is reliance on the unfaithful in times of trouble.
I do not understand this? do you have any thoughts?
Reply to this
To Rich....glad to (be able to) read your comments. Am fortunate I was not born/raised in a country where illiteracy is still predominant among most people. Reminder....party Saturday (5-5:30-ish). Tony is spending a lot of time on the road so has less time to spend reading/blogging, but he is trying. Rik normally reads the blog, and comments when the HS gives him something, or like today, when the HS makes him ask a question.
To Rik.....ever try to eat meat with a bad tooth? Or run a PT event with a sprained ankle or foot? Makes the experience much harder than it should be. Same thing when we seek advice from those who can't give good appropriate advice---it'll just be harder than it should be. You wouldn't seek advice on buying a car from a 12 year old who knows nothing about cars. You also shouldn't seek advice about anything spiritual from someone who either doesn't believe in God, or does and ignores His commands. That person is not wise enough to pass on good advice about God. I believe that is to what this Scripture is referring. What 'dish' you planning on bringing to the Party. Tony's bringing meat balls and Rick Gibbons is bringing wings.
Reply to this
What do you need me to bring to the party? Richie is planning to come with me.
Reply to this
Sodas (3-5 2-liters) and a bag of ice?
Can't wait to see U 2 again.
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